What if growing your business was less about pushing for the sale and more about making it easier for people to buy?

Chris Bird, General Manager of Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, joins Sara Murray to explore how service, integrity, thoughtful follow-up, and strong relationships can create sustainable business growth and sales.

Drawing from more than 15 years in luxury hospitality, Chris shares how to build business and sales through community involvement, vendor partnerships, memorable customer experiences, and intentional follow-up. He explains how his team uses its CRM to continue relationships, recognize future opportunities, and turn what could feel like a cold call into a thoughtful check-in.

Click here to watch a video of this episode.

Chris and Sara also discuss why people hesitate to ask for business, how to communicate with customers in the way they prefer, and why showing someone that you genuinely want their business can make the decision easier.

Chris also introduces his “open floor” leadership philosophy, which replaces waiting for employees to walk through an open office door with actively meeting people where they are, asking what they need, and closing the communication loop.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How to follow up without feeling like you are bothering someone
• Why service can be one of your most effective business-growth strategies
• How to turn vendor relationships into mutually beneficial partnerships
• How a CRM can help you create thoughtful, timely follow-up opportunities
• Why customers want to know that you genuinely value their business
• How to communicate with buyers through their preferred channels
• How integrity and consistency lead to repeat business and referrals
• Why great leadership requires an “open floor,” not just an open door
• The difference between connecting with someone and delivering a traditional sales pitch

Chris also shares why he does not give “sales tours” of Saybrook Point. Instead, he focuses on connecting with people, sharing his genuine enthusiasm for the property, and communicating the few selling points that matter most to the customer.

About Chris Bird

Chris Bird is the General Manager of Saybrook Point Resort & Marina, a luxury waterfront resort in Old Saybrook, Connecticut. He oversees the resort’s operations, sales, marketing, accommodations, restaurant, spa, marina, weddings, events, and overall guest experience.

Connect with Chris Bird:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-bird-5764a815

Explore Saybrook Point Resort & Marina:
https://www.saybrook.com/

Watch the full conversation on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/1lYEYe4K0EQ?si=NfQjRl-hgbczKJ_m

Connect with Sara Murray:
https://www.saramurray.com/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@saramurraysales

LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/saramurraysales/

You may also enjoy these episodes:

• How to Sell Without Being Salesy with David Newman
• Why Relationship-Building in Sales Is More Powerful Than Any Pitch

If this conversation helped you approach business growth or follow-up differently, follow Prospecting on Purpose® and share the episode with someone who wants to sell with more confidence and less pressure.

Click here to view the episode transcript.